Description: Slow-growing flattened plants, clumping with tight, short white spines, form low mounds in timeStems: Almost discoidal to globose, apically depressed, dividing dichotomously, each stem are up to 6 cm in diameter.Radial spines: 22 - 24 tiny, white and bristle-like that almost obscure the stem.Flowers: Rings of small (5 mm) nearly pure white (Or with light pink midstipe ) are produced in spring over a several weeks periodRemarks: The so called “superfina” is a particular nice selected form with very small tubercles and spines.

Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Mammillaria formosa group

Mammillaria formosa subs. chionocephala(J.A.Purpus) D.R.Hunt: is typically wrapped on the upper part with a dense snow-white wool, so that only the tips of the tubercles visible. Distribution: Highlands of central Mexico (Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and Durango).

Notes: This is one of the Mammillaria commonly called "Owl Eye Cactus", known for dichotomous branching (forking or dividing into two parts). Although dichotomous branching is not a common occurrence in cacti in general, it happens for some reason in this particular species. What is interesting about this cactus is that it began as a single head, one head became two, and so on. Other Owl Eye Cactus among others comprise Mammillaria karwnskiana, Mammillaria formosa, Mammillaria microthele and Mammillaria crucigera.

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Cultivation and Propagation: Mammillaria formosa subs. microthele var. superfina is a slow growing species. Soil: Use pot with good drainage and a very porous mineral-based potting mix.Watering: Keep dry in winter. Pot plants are quite wet-sensitively. Care must be taken with watering (Rot prone) and needs good drainage. Water sparingly during the growing season, keep very dry in winter. Fertilization: Feed with a high potassium fertilizer in summer.Hardiness: Usually it is recommended to overwinter this plant in a bright and warm greenhouse with at least 8-10° C , but it proved to be quite frost resistant (if kept dry it hardy as low as -10° C)Exposure: Outside full sun or afternoon shade, inside needs bright light, and some direct sun.Propagation: Direct sow after last frost, cuttings (if available).